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Lemon Garlic Butter Tilapia

Four pan-seared fillets of Lemon Garlic Butter Tilapia swimming in bright yellow butter sauce, topped with fresh parsley and lemon zest.
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A simple recipe for pan-seared tilapia fillets coated in a bright, savory lemon garlic butter sauce. This dish cooks quickly for a fast weeknight meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 (6 ounce) tilapia fillets
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Pat the tilapia fillets dry with paper towels and season both sides lightly with salt and pepper.
  2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  3. Place the tilapia fillets in the hot skillet and cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the fish from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
  4. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the butter to the same skillet. Once melted, add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
  5. Pour in the fresh lemon juice and add the lemon zest. Stir the sauce constantly for about 30 seconds.
  6. Return the cooked tilapia fillets to the skillet. Spoon the lemon garlic butter sauce over the fish several times.
  7. Sprinkle with fresh parsley before serving immediately.

Notes

  • For moister fish, avoid overcooking; tilapia cooks fast.
  • You can bake these fillets at 400°F (200°C) for 10-12 minutes instead of pan-searing.
  • Serve this fish with steamed asparagus or rice pilaf.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://hungryhearld.com/lemon-garlic-butter-tilapia-recipe/